CONGESTION IN WHARF SHEDS

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23316, 30 April 1941, Page 8

CONGESTION IN WHARF SHEDS

WELLINGTON PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE OF DELAY TO SHIPS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 29. A conference of representatives of shipping and commercial interests and Government departments, called by the Wellington Harbour Board to discuss ways and means of relieving the present serious congestion of cargo in the board’s wharf sheds, in order that essential and adequate space might be made available for the more rapid reception and delivery of cargo, was held to-day. The main aspects of the problem were discussed, and an advisory committee set up to investigate it in more detail. The chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr W. L. Fitzherbert), who presided, said he would like to make it clear that the board’s sheds were for the temporary storage of goods in transit only, and were not intended to be used for the storage of goods beyond a reasonable period necessary for importers to comply with the usual formalities and requirements of the Customs Department, and the obtaining and lodgment of shipping papers. “At present,” said Mr Fitzherbert. “goods are remaining in the board’s sheds for long periods, with the result that the accumulation of goods has reached a position which, if not immediately relieved. will mean that insufficient accommodation will be available for the handling of inward cargo, with consequent serious interference with the effort being made to give the utmost possible quick turn round to overseas vessels so vitally necessary at present.” Sir Alexander Roberts, New Zealand representative of the Ministry of Shipping, emphasised the vital necessity of saving all time possible while vessels were on the New Zealand coast by working extended hours, and by centralising ports of call as far as possible. Whatever measures were necessary to keep open storage accommodation in the board’s sheds must be carried out as a matter of Empire necessity. Captain M. P. Congdon, traffic manager and chief wharfinger, outlined in detail the difficulties being faced under present conditions. He emphasised the necessity for the delivery of cargo from vessels taking place as soon as possible after each ship commenced to work. He hoped that the conference would serve to speed up the delivery of cargo, so that the Harbour Board sheds would become really transit sheds only. It was pointed out in discussion that the difficulties had been accentuated by the centralisation of shipping. That had meant that more space had been required in wharf sheds for the assembly of cargo from and to other ports, in addition to the normal amount consigned to Wellington. It was decided to set up an advisory committee to go more closely into the questions raised, and to endeavour to arrive at a solution of the difficulties. The committee comprises Messrs A. L. Wall (Wellington Chamber of Commerce), R. J. Gray (Collector of Customs), W. I. J. Blyth (Wellington Carriers’ Association), J. Sawers (Assistant General Manager of Railways)* Barton Ginger (Wellington Customs Agents), and Captain Congdon. Mr Wall was elected chairman.